Moving to Japan
Ethan J. Rivers
I am a gaijin (U.S.) who is moving to Tokyo in the next few months,
for job reasons. As you might imagine, I am frantic with preparations
and packing for the move, and was hoping for some advice or
information regarding moving to Japan. Specifically, if there are any
crucial documents I should have with me, or things that I should bring
from America as opposed to buying them in Japan, or places where I can
get information on the expat community in Tokyo, I would greatly
appreciate it if you could post them or e-mail them to me personally.
Thanks, I look forward to hearing from everyone!
E.J. Rivers
John W.
course it depends on what this is for you; for me it was PBJ). You'll
probably be able to find it all in stores, particularly in Tokyo, and
there's a lot of adventure in seeking out such stuff. But you might
not feel like doing that, or might not have the time.
John W.
Ryan Ginstrom
"Ethan J. Rivers" <ethan...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c463af44.03052...@posting.google.com...
> Hi All:
>
> I am a gaijin (U.S.) who is moving to Tokyo in the next few months,
> for job reasons. As you might imagine, I am frantic with preparations
> and packing for the move, and was hoping for some advice or
> information regarding moving to Japan. Specifically, if there are any
> crucial documents I should have with me, or things that I should bring
> from America as opposed to buying them in Japan, or places where I can
> get information on the expat community in Tokyo, I would greatly
> appreciate it if you could post them or e-mail them to me personally.
What kind of work are you doing?
Who's paying for the move?
How long will you be in Japan?
How big are you?
Do you speak any Japanese?
--
Regards,
Ryan Ginstrom
Bryan Parker
>I am a gaijin
You haven't even begun the first stage of
Gaigenesis yet.
>(U.S.) who is moving to Tokyo in the next few months,
>Specifically, if there are any
>crucial documents I should have with me, or things that I should bring
>from America as opposed to buying them in Japan,
Antiperspirant
Medication (over the counter and prescription)
Shoes
Clothing
You can pretty much get everything else you'll
need with KaZaA Lite.
Good luck.
--
Bryan
-------Please no e-mail with big words--------
----http://www.trainerbryan.com/FJLIJ.html----
another fool
1. Haven't had culture shock yet - but sticker shock has definitly set
in. I forgot how much little stuff you need to set up life - and
we've yet to spend less then 100 bucks on food and our fridge is 3/4
empty.
2. If you want a bed larger then a twin/full bring sheets (we've been
all over town and haven't found anyone who sells queen sized sheets).
I'm going to see if I can find some in Tokyo next week - any advice
would be appreciated - otherwise it's going to be continuing to use 2
twin top sheets for our bed until I can wrangle a trip back to the US.
3. Bring a good number of travelors checks since banks here won't take
US personal checks even with a long wait for them to clear (CitiBank
wouldn't accept 'em anyway). Not a huge problem since everywhere
takes Visa and most ATM's are on PLUS so your ATM card should work.
Try to set up a bank account that will let you do internet transfers
before you leave and maybe set up a CitiBank multi-money account while
your there.
4. The hardest part of driving (for me) wasn't remembering which side
of the road to drive on, it was the fact that my spacing is WAY off.
Getting used to having no space on your right side and needing space
for the car on the left is rough for me. So far I haven't hit
anything other then bushes but I'm waiting for me to scrape someone.
Eric Takabayashi
> Speaking as someone who moved here a week ago:
>
> 1. Haven't had culture shock yet - but sticker shock has definitly set
> in. I forgot how much little stuff you need to set up life - and
> we've yet to spend less then 100 bucks on food and our fridge is 3/4
> empty.
The opposite is true for me when I go grocery shopping at home in Hawaii.
> 2. If you want a bed larger then a twin/full bring sheets (we've been
> all over town and haven't found anyone who sells queen sized sheets).
Try asking a local western style hotel where they get theirs. Or the
place you got your queen size bed. Or are you looking for something
special? We just use a blanket to cover our large size futon pads.
> I'm going to see if I can find some in Tokyo next week - any advice
> would be appreciated - otherwise it's going to be continuing to use 2
> twin top sheets for our bed until I can wrangle a trip back to the US.
How about online shopping or your family back home?
> 3. Bring a good number of travelors checks since banks here won't take
> US personal checks even with a long wait for them to clear (CitiBank
> wouldn't accept 'em anyway). Not a huge problem since everywhere
> takes Visa and most ATM's are on PLUS so your ATM card should work.
> Try to set up a bank account that will let you do internet transfers
> before you leave and maybe set up a CitiBank multi-money account while
> your there.
>
> 4. The hardest part of driving (for me) wasn't remembering which side
> of the road to drive on, it was the fact that my spacing is WAY off.
When I travel back and forth I always turn on the wipers reaching for the
turn signal.
> Getting used to having no space on your right side and needing space
> for the car on the left is rough for me. So far I haven't hit
> anything other then bushes but I'm waiting for me to scrape someone.
Get one of those stick on plastic indicators and apply it to your
headlight or bumper to show you where the corners of your car are.
Eric Takabayashi
> ethan...@hotmail.com (Ethan J. Rivers) wrote in message news:<c463af44.03052...@posting.google.com>...
> > Hi All:
> >
> > I am a gaijin (U.S.) who is moving to Tokyo in the next few months,
> > for job reasons. As you might imagine, I am frantic with preparations
> > and packing for the move, and was hoping for some advice or
> > information regarding moving to Japan. Specifically, if there are any
> > crucial documents I should have with me, or things that I should bring
> > from America as opposed to buying them in Japan, or places where I can
> > get information on the expat community in Tokyo, I would greatly
> > appreciate it if you could post them or e-mail them to me personally.
> >
> > Thanks, I look forward to hearing from everyone!
> >
> My standard advice is bring your comfort food, at least a little (of
> course it depends on what this is for you; for me it was PBJ). You'll
I brought Fritos, Cheetos, Jell-O, Jell-O pudding and Big Red gum last time. I also had a partly eaten bag of Sam's
Choice 40% chocolate chip cookies. My kids like Life Savers. Can't get those, even in the import shops here. I can't
believe regular stores haven't picked up Fritos and Cheetos. I'm glad Pepsi has finally caught on in Japan.
Dave Fossett
> I brought Fritos, Cheetos, Jell-O, Jell-O pudding and Big Red gum last
time. I also had a partly eaten bag of Sam's
> Choice 40% chocolate chip cookies. My kids like Life Savers. Can't get
those, even in the import shops here. I can't
> believe regular stores haven't picked up Fritos and Cheetos. I'm glad
Pepsi has finally caught on in Japan.
Cheetos are available around here. I'm sure I saw them in 7-11.
--
Dave Fossett
Saitama, JAPAN
Eric Takabayashi
Regular cheese puffs, not a poor yellow copy of Crunchy?
cc cc
"another fool" <anoth...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> 2. If you want a bed larger then a twin/full bring sheets
Bringing a set of sheets (+a pair of towels) can be useful, I always take
some with me when I go somewhere. I rarely have energy to shop for that on
the first day. After moving, all I want is to take a shower and sleep in
clean
sheets.
> (we've been
> all over town and haven't found anyone who sells queen sized sheets).
There are several house equipment catalogues that sell all sizes of beds*
and sheets, I don't remember the names.You find those catalogues in combinis
(but only the week they are published) and also in large magazine stores.
Well that depends on what you call "sheets". They make thin coton ones, no
original color or design.
CC
*like beds or futons for 5 persons
Ken Yasumoto-Nicolson
wrote:
>2. If you want a bed larger then a twin/full bring sheets (we've been
>all over town and haven't found anyone who sells queen sized sheets).
>I'm going to see if I can find some in Tokyo next week - any advice
>would be appreciated - otherwise it's going to be continuing to use 2
>twin top sheets for our bed until I can wrangle a trip back to the US.
Try Belle Maison - I just checked their latest catalogue and there's
queen sheets there. We bought our bed at IDC, and they also had a good
stock of covers to match the queen-sized stuff they sell, but I think
it's a Kansai only chain.
Ken
Drew Hamilton
>Getting used to having no space on your right side and needing space
>for the car on the left is rough for me.
I had a bit of a problem with this too, but what was worse was
that I kept hitting the wipers instead of the turn signal. I'm
sure that when I brought that rental car back, it had the cleanest
windshield in all of Japan.
I actually think that it might have been easier if I'd been
driving a standard; that way, at least that way my hands would
always be busy doing things on the opposite sides, so I may have
learned the turn signals quicker.
--
- awh
http://www.awh.org/
another fool
> Try asking a local western style hotel where they get theirs. Or the
> place you got your queen size bed. Or are you looking for something
> special? We just use a blanket to cover our large size futon pads.
Not a bad idea - if I can't find some next week I'll give it a try.
>
> How about online shopping or your family back home?
>
Online shopping might work - haven't looked into it yet. Family back
home won't work due to lack of family back home.
>
> When I travel back and forth I always turn on the wipers reaching for the
> turn signal.
>
That's a huge problem for me too (that and the light switch is on the
wrong side for me). But it's a more an inconvenience then a safety
hazard.
>
> Get one of those stick on plastic indicators and apply it to your
> headlight or bumper to show you where the corners of your car are.
I'll look into that as soon as we get rid of the rental car and get
our long term company car - thanks.
Matthew Endo
> Try Belle Maison - I just checked their latest catalogue and there's
> queen sheets there. We bought our bed at IDC, and they also had a good
> stock of covers to match the queen-sized stuff they sell, but I think
> it's a Kansai only chain.
IDC has megastores in Kanto, Chubu (Nagoya), Kinki (Osaka/Kobe) and
Kyushu areas:
http://www.idc-otsuka.co.jp/showroom/showroom_f.html
--
Matt
ma...@gol.com
Heywood Mogroot
>
> I am a gaijin (U.S.) who is moving to Tokyo in the next few months,
> for job reasons. As you might imagine, I am frantic with preparations
> and packing for the move, and was hoping for some advice or
> information regarding moving to Japan. Specifically, if there are any
> crucial documents I should have with me
International Drivers License from the AAA. Bring your Costco card if
you have one; there's now 2 Costco's in the Kanto area.
, or things that I should bring
> from America as opposed to buying them in Japan
#1 is your favorite deoderant/antiperspirant. They don't sell that
stuff [worthy of the name] here, so bring enough to last until your
next shopping trip home. The closest Safeway is in Guam, I believe
[there could be one in Saipan]. In general most personal hygiene
brands are expensive and suck compared to American brands, so bring
what you'll need.
I'd forget the comfort food -- there's plenty of good stuff to try
out, and it sucks to eat the last of something you can't get here.
Tokyu Hands, a home store, has a pretty wide selection of domestic
stuff. Chances are if they don't have it you don't really need it,
though such frou-frou appliances as a waffle maker, sandwich grill,
and blender would be useful to bring over. Plus a big-ass can opener
-- I never could find a good one.
I found living within easy walking distance of the National Azabu [in
Hiroo, Minato-ku] supermarket to be a big convenience. They're as
expensive as hell but offer a wide selection of stuff that few other
grocery stores have.
I'd pack some winter stuff (down comforters etc) in boxes and seamail
'em (have a friend kick them off when you have your permanent digs).
> get information on the expat community in Tokyo, I would greatly
> appreciate it if you could post them or e-mail them to me personally.
Tokyo basically is one big expat community.
> Thanks, I look forward to hearing from everyone!
Good luck.
=Heywood=